In conjunction with the Pride Festival. Songs, texts, and chamber music by Ethel Smyth in a narrative performance about her life and music.
The composer Ethel Smyth was a strong personality who stood out in Victorian England. She was openly lesbian and one of the leaders of the suffragette movement, which fought for women's voting rights. As the first female composer, Ethel Smyth was appointed Dame of the British Empire in 1922. Smyth was also an author and wrote several books.
In this performance, readings from Ethel Smyth's entertaining memoirs are combined with songs and instrumental music. We will hear musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra together with alto Susanna Sundberg, who has performed on several of the country's opera stages.
The direction is by Sophie Helsing, dramaturge at the Royal Opera.
The concert takes place in conjunction with the Pride Festival.